Benzema benched, fatigue to blame? The real story behind Al Ittihad's clash without their star

Why Benzema Was Left Out

Press reports emerged on Wednesday evening about the reason behind Karim Benzema's omission, the French captain of Al Ittihad, from the upcoming clash with Al Fateh, scheduled for Thursday as part of the 19th round of the Saudi Pro League. The decision came as a surprise to many fans who had expected the star forward to lead the attack.

Portuguese coach Sergio Conceicao had decided to exclude Benzema and Algerian Houssem Aouar from the match, a move that perplexed supporters and pundits alike, given the stakes of a top-half clash in the standings.

According to the Saudi daily 'Al-Youm', Benzema's absence is attributed to fatigue, with the technical staff opting to rest him to recover for forthcoming fixtures and to keep him fresh for bigger challenges ahead.

As for Aouar, the exact reason for his omission wasn't disclosed publicly, but he had recently returned from an injury, and a lingering muscular issue could explain his absence from this particular match.

Al Ittihad still hopes to bounce back to winning ways and improve their position, currently sixth with 30 points. The upcoming clash with Al Fateh is an opportunity to regain momentum, while the club's medical team has not issued a full update on Benzema's condition, leaving fans hopeful for a swift return.

Implications for Al Ittihad and Saudi Pro League Image

The absence of Benzema adds another twist to a campaign that has mixed results for the Jeddah club, who are chasing consistency in a league known for its competitive balance. Fans will be watching closely to see how the squad adapts in Benzema's absence and whether the team can secure a victory without their talisman.

Punchline moment: if fatigue had a flavor, it would be a midweek espresso with a side of bewilderment. Not exactly the recipe for a trophy, but hey, at least the bench got a vacation day.

Punchline 2: Benzema is sidelined for now, but the jokes about his absence are scoring goals in the fan forums—coach’s clipboard, 1; curiosity, 1; sleep-deprived analysts, unlimited.